On February 15, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden spoke at The Pentagon about helping military spouses more easily transfer their professional licenses across states.

Jinah Williamson ’08, who majored in American Sign Language (ASL) and Interpreting at St. Catherine University, was the speech interpreter. (Watch Williamson in action on the official White House video.)

“To interpret at the White House is an extremely high honor — and an opportunity not open to just any interpreter,” says Paula Gajewski-Mickelson, chair of St. Kate’s ASL and interpreting department. “We’re thrilled for Jinah, and the consumers with whom she worked. She is amazing!”

Williamson works as an interpreter with TCS Associates in Washington, D.C. She is also a co-founder of The TRISKELION, a support group in D.C. for Korean adoptees who use ASL.

Closer to home…On the same day, another St. Kate’s graduate from the ASL and Interpreting department could be seen on several local news broadcasts.

Sharisse Leier interpreted for Governor Dayton's State of the State address in St. Paul. She is a staff interpreter at the Minnesota Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Division.